BOISE, Idaho (AP) — When Akron placekicker Robert Stein lost his scholarship after his freshman year, he didn’t quit. Instead, he fought his way back to the top of the depth chart without the free ride.
And after Stein made three field goals and earned MVP honors in leading Akron to a 23-21 victory over Utah State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on Tuesday, coach Terry Bowden was delighted Stein stuck it out.
“He wasn’t getting the job done during spring practice going into his sophomore year, so I told him that I was giving his scholarship to a freshman,” Bowden said. “There were tears that day — from both of us. But he stayed with us and took his job back. And the next season when I knew I had to give him his scholarship back, he told me to let the other kicker keep it.”

Toledo 32,
No. 24 Temple 17
BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) — Phillip Ely hit Cody Thompson with an 80-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter Tuesday night, and Toledo won Jason Candle’s first game as head coach, beating No. 24 Temple 32-17 in a soggy Boca Raton Bowl.
Candle was promoted from offensive coordinator three weeks ago when Matt Campbell took over at Iowa State.
The Rockets (10-2) positioned themselves to crack the final Top 25 for the first time since 2001, the last season they won 10 games. Temple (10-4) lost for the fourth time in seven games after starting 7-0.